By Precious John, Special Correspondent

The second edition of the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference 2021 will take place on September 9-10, after being postponed from June 2020 due to COVID-19; organized by Energy Capital & Power (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) (formerly known as Africa Oil & Power), AOG 2021 is the exclusive energy conference of Angola and is endorsed by the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, and the National Agency of Oil, Gas & Biofuels; Sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest oil producer is spearheading an ambitious investment drive, aimed at re-engaging with existing operators while attracting new entrants to the market.

The second edition of the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference will officially take place on September 9-10, 2021, as the exclusive energy conference of Angola. The new dates come after Angola’s Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas (MIREMPET) – together with event organizer Energy Capital & Power (ECP) – postponed the event from last June in the interest of public safety.

Under the theme, “Angola Oil & Gas: The Roadmap to Regeneration and Growth,” AOG 2021 will serve as the focal point of Angola’s ambitious investment drive, as the country seeks to reverse its declining output, boost proven reserves and renew commitments from international oil companies operating in the country – which include Eni, BP, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Total – while attracting new entrants to the market.

As in the 2019 edition of Angola Oil & Gas, where H.E. President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço endorsed and opened the event, the high-level 2021 gathering will unite C-suite executives and private sector players with government leaders, regulators and state companies. Angola Oil & Gas 2021 will feature keynotes, panel discussions and one-on-one investor matchmaking, while adhering to strict health and safety protocols. The event is organized in partnership with MIREMPET and the National Agency of Oil, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG), and represents the sole national energy conference endorsed by the Angolan Government.

“We are honored to receive the support and endorsement of the Ministry and the ANPG in positioning AOG 2021 as Angola’s premier deal-making destination,” said Chairperson of ECP, Kelly-Ann Mealia. “With Angola’s post-COVID-19 recovery already underway, the next 12-18 months will see new entrants sign up to the market and large-scale energy projects propel forward, fueled by a clean energy transition, rising power demand and a push for economic diversification. Investors will want to be in Angola – sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest producer – when that happens.”

ECP is also excited to announce the launch of its Africa Energy Series: Angola 2021 investment report and documentary, as part of a multimedia campaign set to shape the country’s energy narrative. The dual-language publication will target key developments driving a post-COVID-19 recovery in Angola – namely, a heightened exploration drive, gas monetization initiatives, solar and wind renewable projects and the creation of downstream industries, including refining, petrochemicals and associated infrastructure.

A 30-minute documentary will provide a visual complement to the publication, featuring first-hand interviews with government officials, private sector leaders, industry regulators and energy experts discussing Angola’s current developments and future ambitions.

“Angola is one of the most powerful oil and gas players globally, uniting world-class hydrocarbon resources with progressive, reform-driven leadership,” says International Conference Director at ECP, João Gaspar Marques. “With Eni yielding yet another offshore discovery last month – coupled with aggressive promotion by the ANPG of its nine-block onshore licensing round – Angola is reigniting a domestic exploration drive and re-engaging with operators to tap into underexplored resource wealth. In conjunction with ongoing gas-to-power initiatives and renewable developments in solar and wind that are set to produce first energy as early as 2022, Angola will emerge from COVID-19 as a dynamic regional leader aligned closely with the new age of energy.”